Redfish are not only a staple in the diets of many anglers but also one of the most popular game fish to catch. They can be found all over Florida and southern Georgia coasts and will eat just about anything they can fit in their mouths. If you’re serious about catching redfish, here is a list of some top-notch flies that will give you an advantage on your next fishing trip.
How To Choose Flies For Redfish?
Redfish have an extremely diverse diet consisting of just about any form of animal life that will fit in their mouths. Juveniles start with copepods and mysids before moving into smaller baitfish of all kinds. Adult redfish are mostly piscivores but have been known to eat just about anything that will fit down their gullet including crabs, shrimp, clams, oysters, and more.
The key to catching redfish is finding the ones that are actively feeding on small fish. One way to do this is to pay attention to the birds. Cormorants don’t care much for baitfish or crustaceans but will eat just about any baby redfish they can fit in their mouths. Likewise, herons are not too selective of what they eat, so if you see them swooping over one section of water it is likely there is a good concentration of small fish in that vicinity.
Redfish will stay relatively close to the same area all day long and you will typically see them in groups of 5-10+ individuals. Whenever one of them feeds they will quickly move through an area and then retreat to the safety of their group, so watch for these feeding frenzies.
Best Flies For Redfish
The redfish season is long and tough, and there’s nothing more frustrating than working a fish and having it slap the flies away. Sure enough, if you’re like most of us, you’d pretty much give your left (or right) arm for some new fly patterns that actually look like something a redfish would eat. If you’re going to master the technical details of fly casting, rigging your tackle, and strategically selecting appropriate depth levels without fail, then it’ll be all for naught if your fly doesn’t look like something that can be eaten. I’ve put together a list of the most promising flies that are proven producers, so you can save your arms, back, and time.
The top redfish flies as per our research and experience:
1. Clouser Minnow
Looking for an effective bait for bass, redfish? Look no further than the Clouser Minnow! This top-quality lure is hand-tied by professional anglers and features premium materials that are sure to help you catch more fish. Plus, it comes equipped with Mustad Signature Duration hooks that are built to last. Red is a classic for a reason. Regardless of the time of year, reds target baitfish like mullet, and with an infinite number of color variations, you truly can’t go wrong with this beloved fly. Heavily weighted dumbbells give these flies incredible sink rates to fish at different depths so they will be sure to catch your attention when thrown into any lake or river! Popular colors range from chartreuse (green), white black/purple-pink fluoro green among others but ultimately it’s tough not to find something that fits what mood strikes – after all, every fisherman deserves some experimentation in their game right?
2. Crab Fly
This crab fly is the perfect solution for experienced anglers who are looking to land a permit. The high-quality tiemco hooks make it easy to snag your prey, while the fleeing material ensures that it won’t fall apart in the water.
Redfish are usually found in shallow water, so if you want to get one seeing red go for a small crab. There are tons of options out there and it’s important to understand what type they’re after – like how each fishery works differently with their coloration or bait preference.
Red floaters often prefer lightweights; while spinnerbaits seem best when targeting GT cranks & blades on your reel-type drag setup!
Crabs tied straight are weighted towards the eye of the hook to replicate standing on the bottom in a defensive posture. Strip these patterns with short bumps and long pauses along its length, giving it an appearance similar to that seen when swimming through the water column; this makes up for what you lose by not having any wings! Common crab pattern names include merkin (thin), flexo(abrupt change)-these two terms refer specifically to describing how fast or slow one must retrieve respectively while using them.
3. Shrimp Fly
Redfish love fresh shrimp, and there are many patterns that will do the trick. The classic Seducer is one of my personal favorites tied with natural colors and a hint gold flash for an extra effect in mid-water column suspension. If you want something lighter but just as effective then try Kwan fly – it’s easy casting light enough to maneuver around when necessary! Other good options include grasses or hybrid flies like Ritalin which imitate shrimps while being easier on your line than heavier traditional style dry baiters.
4. Spoon Fly
The spoon fly is a popular and effective pattern for targeting redfish. They’re tied in all different variations, but their purpose remains the same: to flash, shimmer and dazzle! When stripped slowly on cloudy overcast days or with stained water near your target area this lure will emit low vibration sounds which anglers use as an indicator that it’s time to set up shop – if you cast one now then there’ll be no doubt those curious fish will come to investigate what’s going down at your end of the range (or however far away from shore).
5. Poppers (topwater)
If you’ve been looking for a fish with personality, look no further than the redfish. They are often tough to lure out of hiding but can be brought out by top-spinners like judiciously chosen flies that trigger explosions on their surface when hooked properly in front or behind the mouth area using various techniques known only too well fishermen.
Best when fishing in deeper water, around dusk and dawn when fish are feeding aggressively. Retrieve with strong foot-long strips where you can really hear the “pop” to get your catch on land quickly without tiring out too quickly or having any gear fail mid retrieve! Try using Gurgler patterns if spooky shallow waters need an edge over their competition so they don’t slip away unnoticed into legend – just make sure there’s always some kind of shrimp left for dinner later that night.
Conclusion
There are many options for fly patterns that will work on redfish. These five don’t cover the whole profile of what flies a redfish will take, but they’re a great starting point and will give you enough versatility in your box to be successful. If you find yourself wanting more variety or need some help getting started with these fish, reach out! We have years of experience chasing trophy-size reds all around the world and can provide expert advice tailored specifically for your needs. Contact us today to learn how we can help make sure you never go fishing without success again!